A GARDA based in Laois has been cleared of sexually assaulting a teenage boy almost four years ago. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury took under an hour to return a unanimous verdict of not guilty, after a two-day trial.
Judge Kevin Haugh discharged the 43-year-old defendant who had denied the charge, stating that he was miles away in his mother's home at the time of the offence, on the night of May 20th/21st, 1993.
He identified a District Court order dated May 21st, 1993, striking out an assault charge against his sister. He said he slept at his mother's home overnight because he was accompanying his sister to court.
Senator Tom Enright told Mr Gerard Clarke SC that he was the solicitor acting for the garda's sister. Her case was adjourned to May 21st, 1993, and was then struck out. He met the garda with his sister at both hearings.
One of the garda's sisters said the garda arrived at their mother's home at about 1 a.m. on May 21st, and they discussed the case against their sister before going to bed.
The jury had been told by the complainant, now 21, that he was with the garda and others in a pub until closing time and had then gone to his house. He alleged the offence took place in the garda's bed.